The Hockey News: Edward Fraser's blog: THN.com Blog: Brassard consensus pick in THN Calder vote

THN.com Blog: Brassard consensus pick in THN Calder vote

Derick Brassard has exploded into the NHL with 19 points in 18 games this season. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Edward Fraser
2008-11-20 12:14:00

In the Nov. 24 issue of The Hockey News, writer/columnist Adam Proteau looks at Leafs rookie blueliner Luke Schenn and nine other fab freshmen who are in the running for rookie of the year.

With that in mind, I figured it was a grand idea to compile a top 10 list of Calder candidates based on the opinions of 25 THN-affiliated minds (truth be told the concept came from former THN intern Justin Dickie).

Each voter submitted a top five with a first-place vote worth 10 points, second worth seven, third worth five, fourth worth three and fifth worth one (the full list of voters is below). Here are the results:

1. Derick Brassard, Columbus – 205 points
After spending most of last season with Syracuse of the American League, the sixth overall pick in 2006 is leading all rooks with 19 points in 18 games. The 21-year-old center garnered 14 of 25 first place votes.

2. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles – 161 points
The Kings are flush with talented young blueliners, but Doughty is the ace. His skating and puck-moving ability is obvious, but he’s also a team-leading plus-6 to go along with his pair of goals and six points.

3. Kris Versteeg, Chicago – 118 points
The Hawks have made a number of crafty moves both on and off the ice in returning the team to contention, but grabbing Versteeg, second in rookie scoring, from the Bruins for Brandon Bochenski in ’07 is perhaps the shrewdest.

4. Mikhail Grabovski, Toronto – 75 points
The rookie goal-scoring leader quickly wore out his welcome in La Belle Province, but has found a Hogtown home on a speedy line with Niklas Hagman and fellow freshman Nikolai Kulemin.

5. Alex Goligoski, Pittsburgh – 26 points
A trial by fire was forced upon the 23-year-old after the Pens blueline was beset by injuries, but the 2004 second-rounder has responded well, picking up the power play slack and scoring four goals and nine points in 17 games.

6. Jakub Voracek, Columbus – 18 points
Yet another young component beyond Brassard and Nikita Filatov for Jackets fans to get excited about, the young Czech, who averaged almost two points per game in the ‘Q’ last season, has played well, but not great in his first NHL campaign.

7. Luke Schenn, Toronto – nine points
His numbers aren’t impressive – two assists, minus-6 – but he’s second on the Leafs in time on ice and coach Ron Wilson called him the team’s best defensive defenseman at one point. Nice praise for a 19-year-old.

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7. Luca Sbisa, Philadelphia – nine points
Few expected the 18-year-old, born in Italy but groomed in Switzerland, to emerge as a top-six defender for the Flyers this season, but his solid play in the pre-season and early on in the campaign couldn’t be ignored.

9. Patrik Berglund, St. Louis – eight points
There’s been very little to cheer about for the Blues this season, but Berglund, 20, is a sparkle of light in an otherwise dim situation. The Swede has five goals, 10 points and is a plus-8 for the league’s worst team.

T-10. Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, Edmonton – seven points
Part of a trio of goaltenders currently on the Oil’s roster, ‘Double D’ would be better served playing heavy minutes in the AHL, but can’t be sent down without passing through waivers. Don’t be surprised, though, if he ends up as Edmonton’s unquestioned No. 1 down the stretch.

T-10. Mikkel Boedker, Phoenix – seven points
Yet another 18-year-old who made an NHL roster out of camp, the great Dane is getting first-line time with the Coyotes. Five goals and nine points isn’t head-turning, but things will only improve for this speedy winger.

Others receiving votes: Steven Stamkos (5); Blake Wheeler (2); Nikolai Kulemin (1); Jannik Hansen (1).

Voters
THN Staff: Jason Kay, editor in chief; Brian Costello, senior special sections editor; Ken Campbell, senior writer; Sam McCaig, senior copy editor; Ryan Kennedy, writer/editor; Ryan Dixon, writer/editor; Adam Proteau, writer/columnist; Edward Fraser, editor, THN.com; Rory Boylen, web content specialist; Justin Dickie, former intern; Darryl Dobbs, THN.com fantasy expert; John Grigg, copy editor.

THN Team Correspondents: Jim Gintonio, Pho.; Jeremy Rutherford, Stl.; Mike Heika, Dal.; Tim Sassone, Chi.; Ansar Khan, Det.; Randy Sportak, Cgy.; Luke DeCock, Car.; John Glennon, Nsh.; Peter Kerzel, Wsh.; Aaron Portzline, Clb.

Others: Mike Brophy, Sportsnet.ca columnist and former THN senior writer; Brian Duff, NHL Network host and THN.com blogger; Mark Seidel, NACS chief scout and THN.com blogger.

Edward Fraser is the editor of thehockeynews.com. His blog normally appears Thursdays.

For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.

COMMENTS (18)

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Steven Castatneda Posted
(2009-04-30 07:22:13)

Doughty all the way. There is no doubt about it. He leads all rookies in ice time, leads the Los Angeles Kings with a plus 7, and is spending a lot of time in important situations. Yes, Brassard is doing very good when it comes to point production, but there is no way he is going to be able to keep this up the whole season.

Hawks fan Scott Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:58)

Not enough credit is being given to Kris Versteeg. He is a great offensive player and has scored some big goals in crunch time, but if you have watched even a period of a Hawks' game, he is sound defensively as well. I can recall 2 or 3 times over the last week that if he was out of position in our end, we may not be 2-0 on the circus trip. I believe Versteeg will prove to be the best rookie and be among the Hawks' best players for many years to come.

Flake Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:37)

I wish defenseman had more of a chance at the Calder. Unless he scores 80-100 pts, there's pretty much no chance for Drew Doughty to win it. Think about his age (18) and maturity on the ice. Defensemen usually don't mature at their position until they're about 23 or 24 yrs old. The guy is unbelievable for his age and that should be considered...

Caz Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:36)

Maxime, did you mean Ovechkin showed that no one on the Caps roster was better than him or in his rookie class? I have to disagree with you if it's the latter. Crosby was a close second for Calder that year. If you take age into consideration, Ovechkin is almost 2 years older and I don't think he would've put up the same numbers as Crosby did as an 18 year old.

Big Jeff Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:30)

Boedker a tie for 10th?? Obviously no one that voted has seen him play an entire game. He'e below 6 players who have fewer points than him and he's also the youngest player in the argument! Aside from Doan, Jokinen and Hanzal he's probably the best defensive forward the Coyotes have. He's constantly around the puck and when he develops a better shot he'll be scoring at a much higher pace. The only 2 forwards on the Coyotes to log more ice time are Shane Doan and Olli Jokinen. Oh, and by the way, he made Doughty his bitch in the pre-season rookie game!

Maxime Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:25)

Boston fans....please don't tell me you are giving the Calder to Wheeler before Brassard! Yes, Blake Wheeler is a strong rookie player. But he's nowhere close to matching what Brassard is doing for the Jackets! Nobody even speaks about Rick Nash this season! Brassard has completely stolen the spotlight, and for a rookie player, that's impressive. When Wheeler takes the spotlight from Marc Savard, Patrice Bergeron and Marco Sturm, then maybe he can be considered a Calder candidate. So far, aside from being a good player, he is Boston's face, like Brassard is in Columbus. Besides, none of the players named on that list deserves it more the Brassard. Last year, Kane overshadowed everyone on the Hawks roster, Toews being kept out of the run in due to injuries. The year before, Malkin showed he was a franchise player. Another year before, Ovechkin showed everyone no one was better than him. And you want to give it to Blake Wheeler? I'm very sorry Boston fans, but as much as you love your rookie (who is good, no denying there), he isn't the face of the franchise, and overshadows no one of importance on the team. Calder to Brassard, hands down. Even Stamkos won't take the light from Lecavalier and St-Louis, so no, I'm not even considering him. Brassard, Sbisa or Doughty, the last two not even close to winning it.

Dominic Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:24)

Bawston dude. yes where is Blake Wheeler? But it's not about his points. This kid plays a complete game. I've watched him play several games. He finishes his checks, is always in great position defensively, does some PP time and some PK time. Unfortunately, more often than not, the Calder Trophy is given to the rookie scoring leader. I think Wheeler has the potential to be the best all around player of the bunch!

Matt F. Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:23)

Yes! I think Drew Doughty deserves a mention here too. Brassard and Doughty are the two most likely to win the Calder.

mr t. Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:18)

stamkos 5 votes to hansen's 1?? I mean, hansen hasn't been spectacular, but he has been decent, and one heck of a lot better than stammy. seriously.

tim Posted
(2009-04-30 07:21:17)

Sbisa deserves to be ahead of Schenn. No question. PP,PK and even he' been much better.

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